The legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte has formally requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to convene an “urgent status conference” ahead of the scheduled summer recess this July 25, citing procedural delays that could impact the upcoming confirmation of charges hearing.
Duterte camp asks ICC: Convene for 'urgent status conference'
Former president Rodrigo Duterte (ICC Photo)
In a filing submitted to Pre-Trial Chamber I (PTC I) on July 14, lead counsel Nicholas Kaufman urged the court to hold the conference “as soon as practicable,” preferably before July 25 when the court is scheduled to adjourn for its summer break.
“The purpose of the status conference would be to determine the most efficient way to proceed with matters concerning [REDACTED],” the document read.
Specific details of the case were withheld or redacted due to the confidentiality of their nature.
“The Pre-Trial Chamber would also assess whether, given the delays [REDACTED] – which cannot be. attributable to the Defence – it remains feasible to maintain the current schedule for the hearing on the confirmation of charges,” it added.
The defense argued that several of the procedural setbacks were not of its doing, particularly the months-long delay in receiving materials that they requested.
It stressed that such delays may impede the advancement of the defense’s arguments, adding that “it is highly unlikely, if not impossible” that the defense will be able to meet the requirements before the scheduled summer break.
“The Defence respectfully requests that the Chamber adjudicate on this submission as a matter of urgency, given the importance of the issues raised herein,” Duterte’s camp said.
“The delay in the receipt of [REDACTED], and the continued holdup in [REDACTED], foreshadows similar setbacks in the coming months. This underscores the urgent need for a status conference to allow the parties to suggest, and the Pre-Trial Chamber to decide, [REDACTED],” it added.
Rule 121(2)(b) of the Rome Statute authorizes the Pre-Trial Chamber “to hold status conferences on matters affecting the timely and efficient conduct of the confirmation proceedings.”
Duterte is under investigation by the ICC for an alleged crimes against humanity in connection with his bloody war on drugs campaign that killed thousands of Filipinos.
The confirmation of charges hearing, set on Sept. 23, will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.